What Is the First Thing You Do When You Get Hacked on Facebook?

Discovering that your Facebook account has been hacked can be alarming, especially if unauthorized changes [+𝟏-𝟖𝟓𝟓-𝟒𝟕𝟎-𝟑𝟔𝟎𝟐 𝐨𝐫 (𝟖𝟓𝟓).𝟒𝟕𝟎-𝟑𝟔𝟎𝟐] [𝕲𝖊𝖙 𝕮𝖚𝖘𝖙𝖔𝖒𝖊𝖗 𝕾𝖚𝖕𝖕𝖔𝖗𝖙]  or activity occur under your name. Taking immediate action is crucial to minimize the damage and regain control of your account. Here’s a detailed guide on the first steps to take if your Facebook account has been compromised.

1. Confirm the Hack

Before jumping into recovery steps, confirm that your account has indeed been hacked. Signs of a hacked account include:

  • Unauthorized Activity: Posts, messages, or friend requests you didn’t initiate.
  • Password Issues: Inability to log in because your password has been changed.
  • Email or Phone Changes: Notifications about changes to your account  [+𝟏-𝟖𝟓𝟓-𝟒𝟕𝟎-𝟑𝟔𝟎𝟐 𝐨𝐫 (𝟖𝟓𝟓).𝟒𝟕𝟎-𝟑𝟔𝟎𝟐] [𝕲𝖊𝖙 𝕮𝖚𝖘𝖙𝖔𝖒𝖊𝖗 𝕾𝖚𝖕𝖕𝖔𝖗𝖙] email or phone number that you didn’t authorize.
  • Security Alerts: Alerts from Facebook about suspicious login attempts.

Once you’ve confirmed the hack, move quickly to secure your account.

2. Change Your Password Immediately

If you still have access to your account, the first thing to do is change your password. Here’s how:

  1. Go to Settings & Privacy > Security and Login > Change Password.
  2. Use a strong, unique password that combines uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters.
  3. Avoid reusing old passwords or using  [+𝟏-𝟖𝟓𝟓-𝟒𝟕𝟎-𝟑𝟔𝟎𝟐 𝐨𝐫 (𝟖𝟓𝟓).𝟒𝟕𝟎-𝟑𝟔𝟎𝟐] [𝕲𝖊𝖙 𝕮𝖚𝖘𝖙𝖔𝖒𝖊𝖗 𝕾𝖚𝖕𝖕𝖔𝖗𝖙] the same password across multiple platforms.

If you’re unable to change your password because the hacker has already updated it, proceed to the next step.

3. Use Facebook’s Account Recovery Tool

If you’re locked out of your account, Facebook’s recovery tool can help you regain access:

  1. Visit facebook.com/login/identify or facebook.com/hacked.
  2. Enter your email address, phone number, username, or full name to locate your account.
  3. Follow the on-screen prompts to reset your password.

If the hacker has changed your email or phone number, look for an email from Facebook [+𝟏-𝟖𝟓𝟓-𝟒𝟕𝟎-𝟑𝟔𝟎𝟐 𝐨𝐫 (𝟖𝟓𝟓).𝟒𝟕𝟎-𝟑𝟔𝟎𝟐] [𝕲𝖊𝖙 𝕮𝖚𝖘𝖙𝖔𝖒𝖊𝖗 𝕾𝖚𝖕𝖕𝖔𝖗𝖙]  about these changes. Most of these emails include a link to reverse unauthorized updates.

4. Secure Your Account

After regaining access, it’s critical to secure your account to prevent further issues. Key steps include:

  • Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Go to Settings > Security and Login > Two-Factor Authentication and activate it. This adds an extra layer of security by requiring [+𝟏-𝟖𝟓𝟓-𝟒𝟕𝟎-𝟑𝟔𝟎𝟐 𝐨𝐫 (𝟖𝟓𝟓).𝟒𝟕𝟎-𝟑𝟔𝟎𝟐] [𝕲𝖊𝖙 𝕮𝖚𝖘𝖙𝖔𝖒𝖊𝖗 𝕾𝖚𝖕𝖕𝖔𝖗𝖙]  a code sent to your phone or generated by an authentication app whenever someone logs in.
  • Check Recent Logins: Under Security and Login, review the “Where You’re Logged In” section to spot unfamiliar devices or locations. Log out of all unrecognized sessions.
  • Update Contact Information: Ensure your current email address and phone number  [+𝟏-𝟖𝟓𝟓-𝟒𝟕𝟎-𝟑𝟔𝟎𝟐 𝐨𝐫 (𝟖𝟓𝟓).𝟒𝟕𝟎-𝟑𝟔𝟎𝟐] [𝕲𝖊𝖙 𝕮𝖚𝖘𝖙𝖔𝖒𝖊𝖗 𝕾𝖚𝖕𝖕𝖔𝖗𝖙] are listed under Settings > Contact Information.

5. Notify Your Contacts

Hackers often misuse hacked accounts to send spam or phishing messages [+𝟏-𝟖𝟓𝟓-𝟒𝟕𝟎-𝟑𝟔𝟎𝟐 𝐨𝐫 (𝟖𝟓𝟓).𝟒𝟕𝟎-𝟑𝟔𝟎𝟐] [𝕲𝖊𝖙 𝕮𝖚𝖘𝖙𝖔𝖒𝖊𝖗 𝕾𝖚𝖕𝖕𝖔𝖗𝖙]  to your friends. Inform your contacts about the breach and advise them to ignore any suspicious messages, links, or requests sent from your account during the hack.

6. Review Account Permissions

Hackers may grant permissions to malicious apps or services to maintain control  [+𝟏-𝟖𝟓𝟓-𝟒𝟕𝟎-𝟑𝟔𝟎𝟐 𝐨𝐫 (𝟖𝟓𝟓).𝟒𝟕𝟎-𝟑𝟔𝟎𝟐] [𝕲𝖊𝖙 𝕮𝖚𝖘𝖙𝖔𝖒𝖊𝖗 𝕾𝖚𝖕𝖕𝖔𝖗𝖙] over your account. Review and remove unauthorized apps:

  1. Go to Settings > Apps and Websites.
  2. Remove any unfamiliar apps or services with access to your account.

7. Report the Hack to Facebook

If you’re still having issues or suspect that your account has been [+𝟏-𝟖𝟓𝟓-𝟒𝟕𝟎-𝟑𝟔𝟎𝟐 𝐨𝐫 (𝟖𝟓𝟓).𝟒𝟕𝟎-𝟑𝟔𝟎𝟐] [𝕲𝖊𝖙 𝕮𝖚𝖘𝖙𝖔𝖒𝖊𝖗 𝕾𝖚𝖕𝖕𝖔𝖗𝖙]  further compromised, report it to Facebook:

  1. Visit the Facebook Help Center.
  2. Select “Report a Compromised Account.”
  3. Provide the requested details and follow the instructions to recover your account.

Facebook may require you to verify your identity [+𝟏-𝟖𝟓𝟓-𝟒𝟕𝟎-𝟑𝟔𝟎𝟐 𝐨𝐫 (𝟖𝟓𝟓).𝟒𝟕𝟎-𝟑𝟔𝟎𝟐] [𝕲𝖊𝖙 𝕮𝖚𝖘𝖙𝖔𝖒𝖊𝖗 𝕾𝖚𝖕𝖕𝖔𝖗𝖙]  using government-issued ID or other documentation, so prepare to upload these if necessary.

8. Strengthen Future Security

To prevent future hacks, adopt the following best practices:

  • Use Strong Passwords: Regularly update your passwords and avoid predictable [+𝟏-𝟖𝟓𝟓-𝟒𝟕𝟎-𝟑𝟔𝟎𝟐 𝐨𝐫 (𝟖𝟓𝟓).𝟒𝟕𝟎-𝟑𝟔𝟎𝟐] [𝕲𝖊𝖙 𝕮𝖚𝖘𝖙𝖔𝖒𝖊𝖗 𝕾𝖚𝖕𝖕𝖔𝖗𝖙]  phrases or personal information.
  • Beware of Phishing Scams: Don’t click on suspicious links or provide login details on unverified sites.
  • Monitor Your Account: Regularly review your security settings  [+𝟏-𝟖𝟓𝟓-𝟒𝟕𝟎-𝟑𝟔𝟎𝟐 𝐨𝐫 (𝟖𝟓𝟓).𝟒𝟕𝟎-𝟑𝟔𝟎𝟐] [𝕲𝖊𝖙 𝕮𝖚𝖘𝖙𝖔𝖒𝖊𝖗 𝕾𝖚𝖕𝖕𝖔𝖗𝖙] and login activity to detect unauthorized access early.

Final Thoughts

The first thing to do when your Facebook account is hacked is to act swiftly. By confirming the hack, securing [+𝟏-𝟖𝟓𝟓-𝟒𝟕𝟎-𝟑𝟔𝟎𝟐 𝐨𝐫 (𝟖𝟓𝟓).𝟒𝟕𝟎-𝟑𝟔𝟎𝟐] [𝕲𝖊𝖙 𝕮𝖚𝖘𝖙𝖔𝖒𝖊𝖗 𝕾𝖚𝖕𝖕𝖔𝖗𝖙]  your account through password changes or Facebook’s recovery tool, and enabling additional security measures, you can regain control and minimize the damage. Staying vigilant and proactive [+𝟏-𝟖𝟓𝟓-𝟒𝟕𝟎-𝟑𝟔𝟎𝟐 𝐨𝐫 (𝟖𝟓𝟓).𝟒𝟕𝟎-𝟑𝟔𝟎𝟐] [𝕲𝖊𝖙 𝕮𝖚𝖘𝖙𝖔𝖒𝖊𝖗 𝕾𝖚𝖕𝖕𝖔𝖗𝖙]  with your account’s security will help protect you from future threats.